BTA2023 Samuel Eto’o, the President of the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot), has been elected to the CAF Executive Committee by acclamation during a meeting held in Cairo on March 12, 2025. As the sole candidate from the Central Africa region, his election was uncontested.
Legal Victory and Return to CAF
Eto’o’s path to the CAF Executive Committee was cleared after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled in his favor last week. This decision overturned his initial exclusion by CAF’s governance committee in January.
His return comes after facing disciplinary action:
- Suspended by FIFA and CAF in 2024 for violating disciplinary regulations.
- Investigated for his role as an ambassador for a betting company, which CAF deemed a violation of its ethical standards.
- Ban and $200,000 fine were overturned on appeal.
Warm Reception Amidst Controversies
When announced, Eto’o, aged 44, received a warm reception from CAF delegates, joining five other newly elected members of the Executive Committee.
Despite his success, Eto’o’s leadership at Fecafoot since December 2021 has been marked by controversies:
- Six-match ban in September 2024 from attending Cameroon’s national games.
- Criticism from former teammates, with one accusing him of acting like a “dictator” over his handling of Indomitable Lions coach Marc Brys’ appointment.
His election to CAF’s decision-making body signals a political comeback, strengthening his influence in African football governance.
